00:00I just want to start by talking to you about the situation on the ground in Ukraine.
00:04I mean, there have been daily Ukrainian strikes on Moscow as well.
00:09And we're told that there's been fresh Russian attacks on Kyiv.
00:13I mean, does it look to you like despite all the peace efforts, the war is not just carrying on, it's actually escalating to some extent?
00:21First of all, greetings to you, Tom.
00:23Greetings to the audience.
00:25Well, actually, yeah, the war is going on.
00:27And as President Zelensky mentioned, Ukraine must be ready for any variants of further developments of events.
00:40If we cannot reach the peace deal, so-called, and agreement with Russia and with our Western allies concerning security guarantees and the conditions of this peace,
00:54of course, then Ukraine should be ready for the war.
00:58And actually, if you look back to the history, it's always climax before the end.
01:04And of course, both parties are trying and doing their best to improve the negotiation positions,
01:12because the war is going on in parallel with the peace negotiations, especially it's a tactic from Russia.
01:23We talk about Russia since 2014.
01:26In 2014, before or during important negotiations, they always make some serious attacks on strategic or infrastructure,
01:40or if we talk about Kyiv and other cities and towns all around Ukraine,
01:46trying to show that they have power and they can go on as long as possible.
01:56And of course, number one goal, if we talk about latest events and months, of course,
02:02they want to use the weather, which is pretty cold now, particularly in Kyiv, yes,
02:09and to destroy our energy grid and to influence the point of view of the Ukrainian society,
02:16because still the majority of Ukrainians are ready to fight and do not agree for any territorial concessions
02:25and all that so-called red lines for Ukraine declared many times by President Zelensky.
02:31And of course, until Zelensky has the support from the society, he can go on and not to go for compromises,
02:43which can lead for serious consequences, both for him personally, if we talk about his political perspectives,
02:50and for Ukraine and for his presidential legacy.
02:53So because the number one goal for Ukraine and for these peace talks is to prevent third military aggression of Russia against Ukraine,
03:03just as it took place in 2022.
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